Vehicle head lamp



Dec. 6, 1949 o. F. OBERG 2,490,539

VEHICLE 'HEADLAMP Filed July 17, 1948 INVENTOR. DONALD F. OBEILG ATTOLNEV Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT or ies VEHICLE HEAD LAMP Donald F. Obers. Bay City, Mich.

Application July 17, 1948, Serial No. 39,241 4 Claims. (01. 176-34) The invention relates to an illuminating lamp. It more particularly pertains to an automobile head-lamp of the sealed beam type wherein the lens and reflector portion are sealed together and enclose a multi-filament arrangement adapting the lamp for use both in clear weather and foggy weather.

' It is therefore the principal object of the invention to provide a headlight for vehicles, particularly automobiles, wherein the color of the emitted light is readily susceptible of control.

Another object of my invention is to provide a headlight unit of the sealed beam type which encloses besides the usual filaments for bright and dim illumination another specific unit capable of emitting light rays in the yellow group of the visible spectrum, i. e., those grouped in the wave lengths of from about 5700 Angstrom units to about 5860 Angstrom units.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple method of grouping the filaments providing the bright white light, the dim white light, and the yellow emitting element so that there is substantially no interference between the intended functions of the various elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealed beam type headlight wherein the color of the light emitted is switch controlled on the instrument panel of the vehicle disposed within easy reach of the driver.

A further object of the invention is to incorporate in the filament supporting posts, or electrodes, clip retaining means adapted to support a light filter.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the following description of the invention, which, taken in connection with the annexed drawing sets forth in detail certain means for carrying out the inventiomsuch disclosed means illustrating however but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away to disclose the filament arrangement of my new sealed beam headlight construction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing in detail the filament and electrode arrangement and themeans for producing the colored light.

fusing the glass to the electrodes.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram indicating an electrical circuit which may be suitably used in connection with the structure of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1 the glass lens portion'i of the unitary structure is fused to the parabolic glass reflector portion 2 at I to provide a hermetically'sealed unit. The reflector 2 will be silvered on the inside surface as at I in the conventional manner. The reflector and lens are fused together to form a peripheral flange 5 which serves as a means of securing the headlight in the fender well where the flange 5 seats on a ledge and is secured thereon as by a retaining rim. Metal electrodes or posts extend through the base of the reflector 2 and are sealed at the point of their entry into the reflector base as Electrode or filament supporting post 8 is connected at one end to bright white light filament l and at the other end to a metal supporting base 8 and contact terminal I. The electrode 6 is bent at a point just below the filament connection to form a cup-like depression at II. The electrode 6 is positioned so as to place filament I at the center of focus of the reflector 2. The exact association of the bright light filament 1 and its other electrode or supporting post will bedescribed in de-- tail in connection with Fig. 2. Supporting post II is connected at one end to the dim white light filament l2 and at the other end to a metal supporting base it and terminal II. It will be noted that filament i2 is to one side of the focal point of the reflector and thus the light emitted therefrom is more diffuse than the light coming from filament I. Electrode II is so positioned as to be at least nearly opposite electrode 6 and is similarly bent or cupped out at I! a short distance below the point at which the filament I2 is connected. The bending of the electrodes 6 and ii in the manner described forms a retaining clip which engages one end of a cylindrical hollow light filter ll which may be made conveniently of glass colored a yellow or amber hue. Filament ll extends through the filter it which is open at both ends. Filament i1 is connected at one end to electrode or supporting post l8. The other end of electrode II is sealed in the base of the reflector and extends therethrough to end in terminal member it. It will be apprehended 3 that filament I1 is also slightly out of the focus of the reflector. 2 and thus the yellow light is diilused and soit. The other end of ylindrical filter liissecuredinasimiiarmannerandwill be described in detail in connection with Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 2 the detailed arrangement of the filament supporting posts or electrodes will become more immediately apparent. Electrode l cupped or bent at II is seen connected at one end to bright filament I which is in turn connected at its other end to electrode II. Electrode is bent-or cupped at it jut below the point at which filament I is connected and thus serves as one element of the second clip retainer for the other end of filter II. The electrode 20 extends through the base of "the reflector in a manner similar to electrodes I and II and ends in a suitable terminal (not shown). Electrode ii cupped or bent at ii is shown connected at one end to dim filament I! which is in turn connected at the other end to electrode 22. Hcctrode I2 is bent or cupped at 23 just below the point at which filament I2 is connected and this serves as the second element making up the second clip retainer for the cylindrical filter I. By posltioning electrodes'i and I I as well as 20 and I2 spaced apart, and with the cupped portiom substantially opposite, a double spring retaining clip is formed for the cylindrical filter ii. Electrode II is shown connected to filament II which extends through the cylindrical filter it. Filament I1 is connected at its other end to electrode II which in turn extends through and is sealed in the base of the reflector and is connected to a suitable terminal (not shown).

Referring to Fig. 3 indicating in a schematic manner a simplified electrical diagram it is seen that electrodes 6, II, and it in circuit with filaments 1, i2, and II respectively are connected through their terminals and a suitable switch to a source of electrical power such as a car battery. Electrodes 20, 22, and 24 associated with filaments I, I2, and i1 respectively are connected to a common ground as at 2!.

The operation of the headlight of the invention will be best understood from the following description. When a bright white light is desired the actuating switch will be positioned to cause an electric current to flow through the electrode 6, filament I, and electrode 20. The fiow of current will'cause the filament to be heated to incandescence and since the position of the filament I is located in the focus of the reflector a bright white light will be emitted from the headlight. If a dim light is desired-the switch will be positioned so as to cause electrical current to flow through electrode ll, filament l2, and electrode 22. This flow of current will then cause filament I: to incandesce but since its location is slightly out of the focus of the reflector a dimmer more diiluse white light will be emitted. In those instances where ,a yellow or "fogliglit" type of light is desired the light switch may be positioned so as to cause current to fiow through electrodes 18, filament ll, and electrode 24. The flow o! ample, if a headlamp construction is desired wherein a brilliant yellow light is desired it will only be n to vary the constructon so as to bring the filament into the focus of the refiector. Thus by the use of a three-position switch bright white light, dim white light, and yellow light are readily and simply available.

The light filter it may be conveniently made of glass of a type filtering out light rays in the visible spectrum above about 6000 Angstrom units and below about 5700 Angstrom units and of transmitting light rays in the frequency range of from about 5700 to about 5860 Angstrom units. Materials other than glass may also be employed providing they have the described characteristics. For example. sodium vapor sealed in a transparent or translucent container could be utilized.

It will be apparent that the structure shown can be readily and simply incorporated in the production of the usual sealed beam light and among the advantages might be mentioned that it will largely eliminate the need for the purchase of a separate set of fog lights at relative great expense for the modern motor car as is now I necessary.

' one of the white light giving filaments may be disposed of and a retaining clip formed on the single vertically extending filament supporting posts in such a manner that the filter is simply carried by the single set of filament supporting posts. It will also be apparent that filters adapted to transmit light of various other colors may be similarly employed. I

I claim:

1. In a light beam projecting lamp of the class wherein a lens portion is sealed to a reflecting portion with filaments and a colored filter mounted in the reflector, the combination which includes two sets of spaced apart posts mounted in the base of the reflector and extending interiorly thereof with the said posts being formed adiacent their upper ends into retaining clips adapted to receive a hollow light filter. said filter having a filament extending therethrough connected at either end to filament supporting posts.

2. In a light beam projecting lamp of the class wherein a lens portion is sealed to a reflecting portion with light producing fialments and a colored filter mounted in the reflector, the combination which includes two sets of spaced apart filament receiving posts mounted in the base of current will cause the filament II to incandesce but since the light will be mainly filtered through the yellow filter the emitted light will be of a yellow or amber hue. It will be apparent that brilliant or more diiiuse light thereby. For exthe reflector and extending interiorly thereof having retaining clips mounted thereon adapted to receive a hollow light filter, said filter having a filament extending therethrough connected at either end to filament supporting posts.

3. In a light beam projecting lamp of the class wherein a lens portion is sealed to, a reflecting portion with filaments and a light filter mounted in the reflector, the combination which includes two sets of spaced apart filament receiving posts mounted in the base of the reflector and extending interiorly thereof, said posts being cuped adjacent their upper ends into retaining clips adapted to receive a cylindrical light filter capable of transmitting light rays having a wave length of about 5700 to 6000 Angstrom units, said light filter having a filament extending therethrough connected at either end to filament sup porting posts.

- 4. In a light beam projecting lamp of the'class wherein alens portion is sealed to a reflecting 5' a portion with filaments and a colored filter mounted in the reflector and with one 01 the white light transmitting filaments mounted in the focus of the reflector, the combination which includes two sets of spaced apart filament receiving 5 posts mounted in the base of the reflector extending interiorly thereof, said post being formed adjacent their upper ends into retaining clips adapted to receive a hollow light filter having a light producing filament extending therethrough.

DONALD F. OBERG.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 10 Number 

